Slovenia fully supports EU efforts on Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed "full support for EU efforts for de-escalation" after EU leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine. He lauded the EU's unity on the issue, which he said would make it harder for Russian President Vladimir Putin to play his game. Defence Minister Matej Tonin meanwhile announced Slovenia would help Ukraine with equipment such as mobile kitchens, heated tents and dual-use equipment, but no weapons. In the first phase, Slovenia will donate sleeping bags, boots, diesel generators and gloves in the total value of EUR 62,000.

Slovenia's defence spending still among lowest in NATO

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia is still among the NATO countries with the lowest defence spending. It ranks 25th in terms of efforts to have 2% of GDP allocated for defence and 26th when it comes to defence investments, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said after a NATO ministerial. This year, Slovenia will allocate 1.3% of GDP for defence and in 2023 and 2024 this will rise to 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. As for the goal of having 20% of defence money spent on investment, Slovenia increased the share from 5% to 17% last year. This year, this is to rise to 22%.

Slovenian troops remain in Mali for now

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Matej Tonin said that Slovenian soldiers remain in Mali for now and continue training Mali troops, after France announced its troops would withdraw from the country. Tonin noted that a formal decision on the EU mission there has not yet been adopted yet. He finds it hard to accept that the EU would now leave to give room to the Russian Wagner group. "A few Russian mercenaries should not undermine the EU's efforts in Mali."

Pahor declines call to prevent "political" appointments of diplomats

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor turned down a call by the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) not to sign a decree appointing new ambassadors ahead of the general election. He said that postponement of the appointments as part of regular rotation would be unjustified and harm the country's foreign policy interests in the international community. Pahor said that the appointments were necessary as the terms of the current ambassadors were expiring. The procedure in "not tied to the electoral cycle, which is good."

Slovenia interested in hosting regional OshKosh maintenance base

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Matej Tonin said Slovenia was interested in hosting a regional maintenance base for US-made OshKosh armoured vehicles as he held talks on Thursday with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Slovenia bought three dozen OshKosh vehicles last year and Tonin noted countries in the Western Balkans were among the buyers as well. Slovenia has the know-how and experience. A regional maintenance centre would also be a good opportunity for the Slovenian economy, he said.

New US Ambassador Harpootlian presents credentials to Pahor

LJUBLJANA - The new US Ambassador to Slovenia Jamie L. Harpootlian presented her credentials to President Borut Pahor after the US Embassy in Ljubljana was headed by the chargé d'affaires for more than a year. "My goal is to be a bridge to work every day to open avenues for working together and strengthening our partnership to support our common vision for peace, prosperity and a healthier planet for all people," the new ambassador was quoted as saying by the US Embassy.

Orban due in Slovenia next week

LJUBLJANA - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is to make an official visit to Slovenia on Monday as part of which he is to meet his counterpart Janez Janša in Lendava, the newspaper Večer and TV Slovenija reported citing unofficial sources. Janša's office has not responded to the STA's question about the visit. Večer says Janša and Orban are due to sign an agreement on economic cooperation. The paper also links the visit to the upcoming elections in both countries.

Covid-19 figures keep improving

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's coronavirus curve keeps falling both in terms of new cases and hospitalisations. A total of 4,542 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, just over a third of the figure reported a week ago and slightly fewer than the day before. The 14-day notification rate per 100,000 is now below 5,000. The number of patients hospitalised because of Covid-19 fell to 513, of which 108 are in intensive care. Another 14 fatalities were reported among patients who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Call issued to separate politics from corporate governance

LJUBLJANA - The Directors' Association and the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) issued a call to political parties for a social consensus on corporate governance to be reached. They believe the time is right to make commitments to separate politics from the governance of state-owned companies. KPK president Robert Šumi said they wanted to note this was one of the most important issues for the future governance of the state.

Health fund director worried about additional expenses

LJUBLJANA - Tatjana Mlakar, director general of the ZZZS public health insurer, noted the new obligations imposed on the ZZZS do not have long-term financial coverage, expressing her concern in an interview with the STA that this would result in a reduction of rights of insured persons. Under the 2022 financial plan adopted last December, a EUR 149 million shortfall of revenue over expenditure is planned, but given the new permanent financial obligations, the deficit is expected to be even higher.

Cargo-partner launches expansion of Brnik logistics centre

BRNIK - Ground was broken for an expansion of Cargo-partner's logistics centre in Brnik, not far from the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, an investment worth almost EUR 12 million that is slated for completion in November and will create 20-30 new jobs. The expansion will increase warehousing capacity from 25,000 to 39,000 square metres and reflects rapidly increasing volumes and Slovenia's potential in logistics and transport.

Slovenian company building Europe's biggest hemp factory

KOMENDA - Slovenian company PharmaHemp has started building an EUR 11 million facility to produce and process hemp products in Komenda, north of Ljubljana, in what it says will bring together the broadest range of services in the field of hemp in Europe. The 3,320-square metre hemp factory will be "the most modern and technologically-advanced infrastructure for the processing and production of raw materials and products from hemp", the company announced.

Got approves EUR 2m for Rogaška observation tower

LJUBLJANA - The government on Wednesday approved up to EUR 2 million to subsidise the construction of an observation tower in Rogaška Slatina, the community in eastern Slovenia known for centuries for its natural spas. The 106-metre high Crystal Tower, which is to be the tallest such structure in the country, made headlines before being endorsed in the December 2020 referendum. Valued at EUR 3.7 million, the investment is slated for completion in early 2023.

German poet Jan Wagner to receive Pont literary prize

KOPER - German poet Jan Wagner received the Pont Euro-Mediterranean literary prize at a ceremony in Koper that included a presentation of his poetry collection Self-Portrait with a Swarm of Bees. The award is presented by the Science and Research Centre Koper and the publisher Beletrina for literary achievements that "transcend borders and look for bridges between different social groups and cultural and religious communities".

Ferk Saioni 9th in Olympic women's Alpine combined

BEIJING, China - Maruša Ferk Saioni finished 9th in the women's Alpine combined at the Beijing Olympics, the last career Olympic appearance for the 33-year-old. The event saw a double victory of Swiss skiers. The Slovenian was 6th in the downhill part of the competition. Overall, it is the best of her 16 appearances in four Winter Olympic Games.

Health experts propose phasing out Covid pass and quarantine

LJUBLJANA - Health experts outlined a gradual easing of measures against the Covid-19 epidemic at a consultation with the government, proposing the abolition of the Covid pass for shops, banks, post offices and administrative units, and the abolition of quarantines in case of high-risk contacts. They proposed that the rule that sets out a maximum number of people inside such establishments at the same time be maintained. Health Minister said that any changes were still to be decided on by the government, adding that imposing mandatory quarantines in case of high-risk contacts could come to end as early as Friday.

Week-on-week drop in coronavirus cases continues

LJUBLJANA - A total of 7,122 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Slovenia on Monday, a significant drop from a week ago when just over 11,000 cases were recorded. 427 people were in hospital due to Covid-19 this morning, 19 fewer than yesterday, including 114 in intensive care, down by four, government data show. In total, 943 hospital patients are infected with Covid, which is 16 fewer than yesterday. Another 23 patients with Covid died on Monday.

Health and social care workers to go on strike on Wednesday

LJUBLJANA - Trade unions representing workers in health and social care maintain they will go on strike on Wednesday, as talks with the government on their strike demands, including a pay rise, have failed to make any meaningful progress, the unions told the STA. They had announced the strike in late January, saying the government had failed to resume talks by the agreed deadline, and they insist on it after the latest round of talks with Health Ministry representatives, as they believe the government has failed to resolve the situation. On top of a pay rise, the unions' demands also include an improvement in working conditions.

Slovenia, UAE to collaborate in sustainable development, food systems

DUBAI, UAE - Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of understanding on sustainable development and food systems as Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek held talks with Emirati Environment and Climate Change Minister Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri. Podgoršek said the two countries would "develop cooperation in sustainable rural development, sustainable food production, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues, and the promotion of trade in agricultural products," according to the Agriculture Ministry.

DeSUS and LIDE to jointly contest election

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) decided to form a joint list of candidates for the April general election with the Liberal Democrats (LIDE), a party formed last month by parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič, an unaffiliated MP. The intention to form a joint slate with DeSUS was confirmed earlier in the day by Zorčič, who left the coalition SMC in March 2021 together with another two MPs. Neither Zorčič nor DeSUS leader Ljubo Jasnič excludes a closer alliance of the two parties.

Our Land launches campaign, focuses on vulnerable groups

LJUBLJANA - Aleksandra Pivec, the president of Our Land, announced that the party has collected more than 1,500 signatures of voters, so it officially enters the election race. She said the party's platform would mainly address vulnerable groups, adding that it was too early to speak about post-election alliances. The former agriculture minister said such a large number of signatures collected in a short time shows that "there is a silent majority ... who want peaceful and respectful policies."

Cultural organisations urge lifting Covid restrictions

LJUBLJANA - Cultural institutions and association have addressed a letter to decision-makers to fully reopen cultural venues in Slovenia, and lift all coronavirus restrictions which govern organising and visiting cultural events by 21 February at the latest. The appeal, which was among others sent to the president, government, parliament and political parties, was signed by 70 organisations, including most theatres and museums, several festivals and arts centres, as well as Kino Šiška and the GIZ KOS association of concert organisers.

NGOs call for gender equality ahead of April election

LJUBLJANA - A number of organisations and individuals working for equal rights and opportunities for men and women have unveiled pre-election demands and sent them to parties and movements that will stand in the April general election. Gender equality is the foundation, not an upgrade of democracy, they said. They called for education on gender stereotypes, sex education, non-violent conflict resolution and the right to personal integrity to be included in the curricula on all levels.

Average gross pay up 6% in 2021

LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia rose by 6.1% in nominal terms in 2021 to EUR 1,970, the fastest pace in five years. The increase was almost equally driven by the public and private sectors, show the latest Statistics Office figures. While the nominal increase is the fastest in five years, the real increase was a more modest 4.1% due to high inflation last year.

Slovenia's fall in CO2 emissions in Q3 2021 biggest in EU

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia saw the biggest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the same quarter a year before even as emissions across the bloc increased to slightly below pre-pandemic levels, Eurostat data shows. Slovenia was one of only three EU countries whose emissions decreased in the period, by 2.6% year-on-year, along with Luxembourg (-2.3%) and the Netherlands (-1.6%), shows the report by the EU's statistics office.

Value of construction down nearly 6% in 2021

LJUBLJANA - The value of construction in 2021 decreased by 5.8% over the year before, the latest data released by the Statistics Office (SURS) on Tuesday show. The value of construction of buildings - residential and non-residential - plummeted by 23.6%, while that of specialised construction activities dropped by 1.2%. Civil engineering construction meanwhile saw a 4.8% rise, SURS said.

Tušmobil case statute barred

LJUBLJANA - The case of Tušmobil focusing on the telecoms company's acquisition of mobile telephony spectrum free of charge in 2006 and 2008, has become statute barred for all suspects, including former Tušmobil owner Mirko Tuš and the regulator's ex-director Tomaž Simonič. The Ljubljana District Court said in a retrial for Simonič on Tuesday that the alleged crimes had become stature barred in 2018. The prosecutors announced an appeal.

Pahor receives honorary doctorate at Lisbon University

LISBON, Portugal - President Borut Pahor was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Lisbon at a special ceremony, being honoured for his efforts to promote dialogue and for his continued commitment to fundamental European values, the president's office said. In his speech at the ceremony, Pahor expressed his gratitude for the recognition, and stressed that the European project is based on unity and reconciliation. He also talked with international relations students from the university.

Project aims to develop common understanding of history of three nations

KLAGENFURT, Austria - A pilot project led by the Slovenian Scientific Institute in Klagenfurt, Austria, is seeking to develop a trilingual online platform in a bid to contribute to multicultural education and a common understanding of the past shared by Slovenia, Austria and Italy. In the first phase the two-year project will try to present various aspects of the shared past side by side, says Daniel Wutti of the Institute for Multilingualism and Transcultural Education at the University College of Teacher Education in Klagenfurt.

Seven suspected of distributing child sexual abuse material

LJUBLJANA - Police conducted house searches yesterday at addresses of seven people suspected of distributing child sexual abuse material online. The pictures and videos seized show foreign children aged three to 13 years, police told reporters today. "Inquiries so far show the victims of sexual abuse do not include Slovenian children, nor have we so far found the perpetrators producing the contentious material themselves or sexually abusing the children," criminal investigator Robert Tekavec told reporters.

Regulator accepts commitments by four gas utilities

LJUBLJANA - The Competition Protection Agency (AVK) said it had accepted a set of commitments that four liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) utilities have made to do away with their controversial practice pertaining to the return of gas cylinders by clients. The investigation into potential collusion among Istrabenz Plini, Plinarna Maribor, Butan Plin and Ina Slovenija was launched in November 2020 over suspicion that they had secretly agreed to only accept the returns of their own gas cylinders.

Number of passengers in public transportation up in 2021

LJUBLJANA - The number of passengers carried in public transportation in Slovenia was up significantly last year compared to 2020. However, taking into account all the restrictions due to the epidemic, the numbers recorded in 2021 are still relatively low compared to the pre-Covid year 2019, the Statistics Office said. Buses in urban mass transit networks carried 30.8 million passengers last year, which is 22% more than in 2020. An increase in the number of passengers was also recorded in rail and air passenger transport, as trains carried 11.9 million passengers in 2021, almost double the number recorded in 2020.

Most wanted Slovenian suspect apprehended in Spain

LJUBLJANA - A Slovenian wanted in connection to the 300 kilo heroin bust at the Koper port in April 2018 has been apprehended in Barcelona with procedures now under way for his extradition to the Slovenian justice authorities. "The arrest is the result of excellent cooperation between Slovenian and Spanish police authorities," the online portal 24ur.com quoted the Slovenian police authorities as saying. Enis Končan, 39, also known as Dec, was apprehended in Barcelona on 4 February. He had been on the list of the 62 most wanted suspects or convicted criminals released by Europol online in December.

Downhill skier Štuhec wraps up Olympic career with 22nd place

BEIJING, China - Slovenia's skier Ilka Štuhec underperformed in the women's downhill at the Beijing Olympics due to back pain. the two-time downhill world champion finished in 22nd place, three seconds behind the first-placed Corinne Suter of Switzerland. This was Štuhec's last Olympic performance. Slovenian Maruša Ferk Saioni also competed in today's downhill race to finish 23rd.

Slovenia place 11th in biathlon men's relay in Beijing

BEIJING, China - The Slovenian men's biathlon team, including Miha Dovžan, Jakov Fak, Lovro Planko and Rok Tršan, finished eleventh in men's 4x7.5km relay at the Beijing Winter Olympics. The gold medal went to Norway. The relay race featured twists and turns and had a dramatic finish, which saw Russia, the silver-medallist, losing to Norway in the last standing stage.

World's largest serving of bograč cooked in Lendava

LENDAVA - The largest serving of bograč, a traditional Prekmurje dish, was cooked in Lendava on 4 September 2021, the Guinness Book of Records officially confirmed on Monday. The cooking team prepared 1,801 kilogrammes of the dish in a single cauldron. It took 16 hours for six cooks and 20 assistants to prepare the dish is typically made of three types of meat, wine and potato.

Top court stays pay ceiling rise for doctors

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has stayed, pending its final decision, the implementation of a provision in the latest Covid relief law that raises the pay ceiling in the single public sector wage system only for the benefit of doctors and dentists. The increase by six wage brackets until the end of 2022, included in the Covid-19 package passed at the end of last year, angered other groups of public sector trade employees, whose unions are now demanding higher wages as well.

Some 7,500 Covid cases confirmed on Thursday

LJUBLJANA - A total of 7,514 people tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, the lowest daily figure since mid-January, not taking into account weekends or public holidays, show fresh official data. The seven-day average of daily cases decreased by almost 600 to 8,626 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people dropped by some 440 to 7,701. The government reported that hospitalisations were up by 15 to 545 today, including 116 people in intensive care units, five fewer than yesterday. Ten people died yesterday. The government will consult with health experts next Tuesday on when and how to adjust coronavirus restrictions now that the Omicron-driven wave has peaked and the epidemiological curve is rapidly declining.

Croatian owner reportedly selling four Portorož hotels

PORTOROŽ - Croatian businessman Darko Ostoja is allegedly selling four hotels in Portorož, Slovenia's best known seaside resort, that he acquired in 2014. According to a report Delo, a Slovenian insurance group has indicated interest in buying the hotels. Ostoja, one of the wealthiest Croatians, bought the four-hotel Metropol Resort in 2014 from Hoteli Bernardin, the hotel chain that is part of the tourism group Sava, for EUR 24.5 million but is now looking to sell for much more, writes Delo.

Most announced resignations at Steklarna Hrastnik withdrawn

HRASTNIK - Most of workers at glassworks Steklarna Hrastnik who announced their resignations on Monday have changed their mind, the company told STA. The management is pleased that out of over 40 workers who had intended to resign around 30 have decided otherwise. However, the company does not want to employ all of them any more. The management added it would continue to build on the constructive social dialogue and open, clear and frank communication within the company.

Govt touring Primorsko-Notranjska region

POSTOJNA - The government visited the Primorsko-Notranjska region to discuss a number of topics, including infrastructure. Mayors from the six municipalities forming the region south-west of Ljubljana have told the STA that they would like to focus on road and railway improvements. The region was last paid a visit by the government in June 2015, just over a year after it was severely hit by sleet.

Group around economist Damijan launches election platform

LJUBLJANA - Economist Jože P. Damijan, the author of the idea for the Constitutional Arch Coalition (KUL), has been joined by a group of more than two dozen former officials as well as businessmen, scientists and other professionals in launching a centre-left development agenda that they plan to realise in collaboration with existing political players.

New movement emerges opposing Covid restrictions

MARIBOR - A new movement has been set up in Maribor that will strive to abolish Covid restrictions on all levels of society and for normal functioning of education and healthcare. If necessary, the movement will turn into a party and stand in the upcoming general election, said its founders. According to Gaber Marolt, coordinator of the Movement of the Free and Well Informed (Gibanje Svobodni in Ozaveščeni Slovenije - SOS), the country's fight against the epidemic is "completely misguided" and the restrictive measures "are causing nothing but harm".

Equality ombudsman finds victimisation in case of civil servant

LJUBLJANA - The equality ombudsman has found that a civil servant who received a dismissal warning has been victimised, meaning she has experienced negative consequences after attempting to eliminate discrimination. The ombudsman sai this was the first case of victimisation it had dealth with. The procedure to establish whether this form of discrimination has indeed taken place was initiated by the civil servant, who is the president of a cultural organisation of an ethnic community in Slovenia.

IPI sees signs of Hungarian media model spreading in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The International Press Institute has a released a report on Hungarian investments in foreign media that suggests the Hungarian model of government control of the media is being transposed to Slovenia, which it says is important in light of Slovenia's upcoming general election. The report, available at https://ipi.media/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/hu.pdf, was written in collaboration with independent investigative reporters and leans heavily on Slovenian investigative journalism portals.

Minister calls for efforts for gender equality in research

LJUBLJANA/POSTOJNA - Efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for both men and women in research and innovation should be made on the national, European and global levels, said Education, Science and Sport Minister Simona Kustec on Friday, International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She stressed the role that Slovenian female researchers play in research and development.

Peroci's fairy tales revived a century after her birth

LJUBLJANA - A collection of the best known fairy tales by Ela Peroci (1922-2001) will be published by Mladinska Knjiga to mark the 100th anniversary of birth of one of most popular Slovenian children's authors. The book entitled Med Pravljice (Into Fairy Tales) will feature nine stories and some legendary illustrations. According to Mladinska Knjiga, Peroci in a way created an original version of a modern fairy tale after WWII, drawing from children's world and intertwining it with imagination.

Dončić erupts for career-high 51 points, 28 in first quarter

DALLAS, US - Slovenian NBA star Luka Dončić scored 51 points, his career-high, as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. He erupted already at the start of the game, scoring 28 points in the first quarter alone in what is the record of this NBA season. The 22-year-old also had nine rebounds and six assists, and hit seven three-pointers in the first quarter to make it to 28 points, breaking the previous record for this season, 25 points, which had been set by Stephen Curry.

Ski jumpers, basketball team, Lampič, Ozmec win top sports prizes

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The Slovenian women's ski jumping team, men's basketball team, cross-country skier Anamarija Lampič and former para athlete and sports official Peter Ozmec are the recipients of the 2021 Bloudek Prizes, the highest national awards for current and lifetime achievements in sports. "In difficult times, good examples and inspiring actions are even more important than usual," said Viktor Grošelj, chairman of the Bloudek Prizes board at the 57th awards ceremony.

Ljubljana declared European Best Destination 2022

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana has been declared European Best Destination 2022 out of over 400 destinations. It is being recommended to those who love nature, city break, foodies, culture lovers, Instagrammers, lovers and families. 92% of the votes for Ljubljana came from other countries, mostly from the US, Italy, Germany, Austria and Croatia. More than 528,000 people from 182 countries voted, with 75,642 picking Ljubljana as their favourite.

Govt adopts systemic bill to promote digital literacy

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a bill to encourage digital inclusion. The centrepiece is a scheme of EUR 150 digital vouchers that secondary school kids, students and adults over 55 will be able to use to attend various digital literacy courses or buy digital devices. Over EUR 31 million has been earmarked for subsidising the courses and digital devices purchases in 2022, said Minister for Digital Transformation Mark Boris Andrijanič, who described the bill as the biggest digital literacy project in the country.

EU Commission downgrades Slovenia's growth forecast

LJUBLJANA - The European Commission downgraded Slovenia's growth forecast for this year by 0.4 percentage points from its autumn forecast to 3.8%, projecting a more moderate growth rate of 3.6% in 2023. This compares to the 4% growth forecast for the euro area this year and 2.7%in 2023. The focus of the Commission's latest forecast is again on high inflation. in Slovenia it is forecast to run at 3.7% this year and at 2.1% next year.

Industrial output up 10% in 2021

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial output expanded by 10.2% in 2021 on the back of strong performance in manufacturing, the latest Statistics Office data shows. Industrial revenue increased by over 15% and the value of stocks by almost 5%. Manufacturing saw a 11.7% growth as mining and electricity, gas and steam supply contracted by 6.5% and 4.4%, respectively. In December 2021, industrial output increased by 1.1% over November, in what was the fifth consecutive monthly increase.

Slovenia reports all-time high job numbers for Q4 2021

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's job market saw a record 22,900 vacancies in the final quarter of 2021 as the number of occupied posts hit 792,100, another all-time high, shows fresh data from the Statistics Office. The job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter was 2.8%, flat with the quarter before, but up by 1.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2020. Vacancies in the hospitality sector increased five-fold.

Omicron wave keeps receding

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 12,137 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, which compares to more than 16,500 cases reported a week ago. Both the seven-day average of daily cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people thus dropped, to 9,220 and 8,143, respectively. Another 19 fatalities among patients with 19-Covid were reported, while hospitalisations of those sick with Covid as their main condition dropped to 530, which includes 121 in intensive care.

Hojs rejects allegations of political interference in police

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs rejected all allegations of political interference in police as he testified in front of a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating alleged political pressure on the police. He denied any involvement in police staffing beyond the nomination of police commissioners, rejected the idea that some senior staff had been reassigned to a task force just to sideline them, and denied having been involved in any decisions concerning the investigation into the purchasing of PPE.

Slovenian MEPs regret Metsola's statement on foibe

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Six out of the eight Slovenian MEPs addressed a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to express regret over a statement of hers that they say conveys an "untrue and repeatedly criticised position of the former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano" regarding the foibe massacres during and after WWII. The letter was signed by Milan Brglez, Tanja Fajon (both S&D/SD), Klemen Grošelj and Irena Joveva (both Renew/LMŠ), Franc Bogovič (EPP/SLS) and Ljudmila Novak (EPP/NSi).

Bilateral cooperation in focus of Logar's talks in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Foreign Minister Anže Logar held talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and several other cabinet members as he wrapped up his tour of the Gulf. Economic cooperation was in the focus, as was Slovenia's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The ministers confirmed an interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the completion of procedures for several bilateral agreements could contribute to that.

Centre-left challenges migrant laws at Constitutional Court

LJUBLJANA - The centre-left opposition filed for a constitutional review and repeal of parts of legislation on foreigners and international protection which they say have tightened already strict laws on immigration and migration. They propose the contentious articles to be stayed pending the court's final decision. Passed in March 2021, the contentious amendments allow suspension of prescribed asylum procedures in the event a complex migration crisis.

Despite crisis, STA kept level of output, finished in the black

LJUBLJANA - The STA lost practically no subscribers in 2021, its output remained at the level of 2020 and it finished the year with a profit, despite being left without government co-funding for 300 days last year, STA director general Igor Kadunc and editor-in-chief Aljoša Rehar said. The agency increased revenue to EUR 4.3 million, including with the help of a fund-raising campaign and a 2.4% rise in revenue from commercial services, and posted a gross profit of around EUR 170,000.

Waste manager Saubermacher looking to grow by takeover

LJUBLJANA - Saubermacher Slovenija intends to take over the waste management company company Publikus and has notified the competition watchdog of the intention. The takeover would solidify the company's position as a market leader in central Slovenia. Saubermacher Slovenija is one of the largest privately-owned waste management company in Slovenia and one of the largest ones overall in the country in terms of revenue.

Medical app developer Mediately raises EUR 7.2m to expand in Europe

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian start-up Mediately has raised EUR 7.2 million in Series A funding to expand its mobile app for doctors to the largest markets in Europe. The app facilitates access to medical knowledge for doctors by simplifying an adapting complex and extensive medical content. Mediately has raised the funds to expand from the eight markets in Europe in which it is currently present.

New director of Spirit agency appointed

LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Rok Capl acting director of the investment promotion agency Spirit Slovenia effective on 12 February after the previous director, Tomaž Kostanjevec, stepped down. According to his Linkedin profile, Capl currently works in the management of the spa company Thermana Laško and was previously a director at another spa company, Terme Čatež.

PM Janša falls ill with Covid

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša self-tested positive for coronavirus. He posted a photo of a positive test result on Twitter, saying he had all the symptoms typical of Covid-19, although mild. Janša said that his family had successfully avoided coronavirus for two years until Tuesday, when his two sons had self-tested positive, while his test had been negative.

President formally calls general election for 24 April

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor formally called the general election in Slovenia for 24 April, announcing that he would give the mandate to form the government to the person with sufficient support in the new parliament after the election. After the signing of the presidential decree to call the election, parties and lists can enter their bids for the election starting next week, 14 February. These need to be submitted by 24 March when official election campaign starts.

Just over 5,000 new coronavirus cases logged on Culture Day

LJUBLJANA - A total of 5,076 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Tuesday, a public holiday. The figure is significantly below the over 11,00 cases reported for the day before or over 23,000 logged a week ago in an all-time high. Figures released by the government show hospitalisations remain broadly stable. 18 more patients with Covid-19 died yesterday.

Govt not in favour of public sector pay rise, unions threaten with strike

LJUBLJANA - Trade unions' demand for a six-grade pay rise for all public sector employees runs against the government's objective of public finance sustainability, Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik as he met representatives of public sector trade unions, who meanwile said the government had until next Tuesday to decide on the matter, adding that otherwise, they will go on strike. The government will take a decision on this demand, Koritnik, the head of the government's negotiating team, said.

Fiscal Council: Robust growth blurs public finance issues

LJUBLJANA - The current robust economic growth is blurring a worsening of Slovenia's public finances, the Fiscal Council said in its latest assessment of the country's public finances. It estimated that the structural measures taken during the Covid epidemic which are unrelated to it will affect the public finances by reducing GDP by 2.2% a year.

Ministry expects SSH, KAD to exercise pre-emptive right in Sava sale

LJUBLJANA - The Economy Ministry expects Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) and the KAD fund to exercise their pre-emptive right as the private fund York is selling its 43% stake in Slovenian tourism company Sava, State Secretary Simon Zajc told the parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Public Finances. At the session requested by the centre-left opposition, the commission adopted the resolution to call on the government to exercise the pre-emptive right, and ensure transparent and rapid consolidation of ownership in the basic tourist infrastructure.

Foreign Minister Logar talks business cooperation in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar - Foreign Minister Anže Logar met in Doha on Wednesday his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to speak about economic cooperation and regional and global issues, including energy, the Foreign Ministry tweeted. Logar also took the opportunity to talk with the Qatari minister of foreign affairs about Slovenia's candidacy for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Prior to that, the Slovenian foreign minister was received by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the talks focusing on deepening friendly relations between the two countries, the ministry said.

Left submits signatures to support APCs referendum motion

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left filed to parliament a motion for a referendum with which it would like to prevent ratification of an agreement with the OCCAR on the purchase of Boxer armoured personnel vehicles (APCs). To support its motion, the party collected 6,800 signatures in seven days, 4,300 more than needed. Under referendum legislation, the National Assembly has 14 days to decide whether the motion is in line with the constitution or not, with an absolute majority needed. Defence Minister Matej Tonin had announced last week that, if requested, the referendum would be challenged at the Constitutional Court.

Treasury gearing to buy back several bonds

LJUBLJANA - The treasury has approached the market to repurchase dollar- and euro-denominated state bonds maturing in 2023 and 2024. The total amount of outstanding debt is EUR 3.56 billion and US$1.38 billion. Its offer stands until 15 February. In notices posted on the websites of the Finance Ministry and the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, the sovereign announced its invitation to eligible holders of its outstanding bonds to tender.

Vesna green party formally established with two co-chairs

ZAGORJE OB SAVI - The new green party Vesna held its founding congress, at which environmentalists Urša Zgojznik and Uroš Macerl were elected its co-presidents. The former said the goal was to enter the parliament and demand that programmes in the fields of environment, economy, agriculture, youth policy and democracy be implemented. "Vesna is entering the political arena with action-oriented people and a finalised programme," the party said after the congress. The party will focus on investments in green economy, sustainable farming models and organic food production, improving mobility, obtaining energy from renewable sources.

Sculptures linking Slovenia and Austria in tribute to WWII prisoners

LJUBELJ - A sculpture by Japanese artist Seiji Kimoto has been unveiled at the Slovenian side of the Ljubelj Pass tunnel in memory of the prisoners of the Nazi concentration camp who built the tunnel during World War II in an exact match to the one on the Austrian side. The piece, entitled Unforgotten - Unbroken, was unveiled at a ceremony on the platform outside the tunnel on Tuesday, celebrated as Culture Day in Slovenia, after one such was unveiled on the Austrian side of what is called Loiblpass in German.

Slovak developer planning new projects in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Corwin, a Slovak developer present in Slovenia for over four years, and its Czech partner Hartenberg have purchased two large plots in the centre of Ljubljana to build several hundred new flats, new offices and a shopping mall, the company said. Construction is expected to start around 2024.

Nearly half of employers expect 5% pay rise, shows survey

LJUBLJANA - A total of 46% of Slovenian employers intend to raise wages by 5% in the first half of this year, shows Manpower's survey on salary and employee benefits trends. Employers cite retaining talent in their organisations as the main reason for the increase. According to Manpower, 25% of the employers expect to raise pay between 6% and 10%, 4% expect a rise of 11-15%, and 1% a rise of more than 21%.

Renault car repair shops found in breach of competition rules

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's competition watchdog has found Renault Nissan Slovenija and four other companies have been colluding against competition in repair and maintenance of Renault vehicles through a cartel agreement for over ten years. One of the companies has admitted its involvement and provided further evidence in exchange for a milder sentence.

Skier Slokar misses out on Olympic medal by a whisker

BEIJING, China - Slovenian skier Andreja Slokar missed out an Olympic medal in the women's slalom in Beijing by a tenth of a second to finish fifth. Another Slovenian, Ana Bucik, was 11th. Slokar, 24, was in the battle for medals after an excellent first run, which put her in fourth place. In the finals, however, she lost key advantage in the lower part of the slope to cross the finish line as fourth.